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Since I’ve been feeling pretty lonely in this dead corner of the site, I’ve decided to come up with a creative writing exercise. Many of you are probably reading stuff or procrastinating working on your contest storygames, but why not take a couple of minutes from procrastination and try out this fun and very short little activity?

The task: Write a story in six words.

At some point, you’ve probably heard of the six-word story “For sale: baby shoes, never worn,” allegedly originating from Hemingway. Wikipedia calls it an extreme example of flash fiction. I’m quite interested in taking a look at how y’all express your creativity in such a condensed format.

Started a thread, never got replies.

Because you were so kind to be the first one to reply to my thread, I'll reward you with an in-depth review of your six-word story:

Well. So it looks like you know how to count, which likely suggests that you managed to pass kindergarten, or even first grade. One of my main problems with your story is that it can't stand alone and wouldn't make much sense when taken outside of the context. This probably could be remedied, however, by changing a word or two. Another issue is the lack of substantial content; there's nothing particularly interesting about it because it's missing the whole "why should your reader care?" component. In the future, I'd recommend you to pay more attention to writing your story's plot.

The bitchiness is strong in this one, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

*Sigh* I just couldn't resist. Mizal may be rubbing off on me.

Well, I guess I've been lucky enough to never be on the wrong side of Mizal's bitchiness, which, from what I've seen is pretty high quality. The only wrong side I've been on anyones bitchy side on this site is Steve's low-fi bitchiness, which compared to Mizal's is like a whining baby to an angry ex-wife. Different poisons, but one definitely has a bit more direction and knows how to go for your nutz.

I find that surprising. It looks like you've been around for a while?

Early 2015, but I've been on and off the site as an active member. I've yet to gotten around to publishing one of my storygames, though I am actively working on one for the contest.

no u

Holy shit, is that a blank?

Work with it don't molest it

My last day here. Blueberry pancakes.

I don't count so good.

An actual one: "Mummy, not the knife again... Please."

"Sorry, we don't sell smaller coffins."

Jumped. Realised I want to live.

 

One that's been done before: "My reflection blinked."
(These ones might function better as a writing prompt than an actual 6-word story)

Acid rain falling on dead skin.

It hurts to be buried alive.

A healer sold us poison.

No sign of any ships today.

 

6 6 5 6

True that a lot of these can be expanded into full stories. The ultimate challenge, really, is to write one small detail but imply a whole world. Looking at some of the other replies, I'd say Romulus and AzBaz were able to do this especially well.

I like the last one you put there. It's not terribly specific, but it certainly opens up the imagination.

Yeah, mine really expands into the reader's imagination to portray a sad, merciless World, capturing the helplessness of a simpleton who's picked on by his peers for not having a basic grasp on arithmetic. Heartbreaking...

Not understanding stories, people posted anyway.

Unfortunately procrastinating: posted in this thread.

Always double check the bigger freezers...

Shat in bushes, need new shirt.

Astronauts' screams, fires on the launchpad.

Goons never ate, killed without remorse.

The last of humanity died alone.

He passed the examination, fire him.

Shutdown sequence begins in thirty seconds.

The final answer never really existed.

She could forgive, but never forget.

Age was our blessing and curse.

The daredevil's son will replace him.

Onward sailors, bring me that horizon.

The sock hurt my dick: yank! 

Get the fucking goose out, now!

Argument deleted, not exactly sure why

'Twas rebirthed into its own thread.

thank you for the hyperlink, friend

Wrote a story in six words.

No you didn't. Well, not really.

I do worry about your intelligence... (or rather, lack thereof...)

Thank you. I make sure to keep my brain cells and neurons to a minimum. I have to make sure that I stay stupid enough to believe Trump's bullshit and try to deny global warming.

You're both idiots. Only six words.

Why make it political?... Just... Why?

It's just has to be a fetish.

That's seven words, you silly chungus.

Goddammit, and you edit locked it.

That's technically 7 too, you know.

I'm only a little brain dead

Understood, not as perfect as me.

Because politics are good for everyone. At least that's what my limited number of brain cells tells me.

Like you never heard! This words!
 

Lock it up, it's too dumb.

That's too good. Try mental hospital.

That's not where the idiots go!

Where do we put them, Sent?

In the dum-dum hole of course!

You know, that's technically seven words. :)

Also, emojis are not words, right?

Dum-dum is word, God Dammit's compound.

I am full...

 

"So, who's missing?"

'My variation of this trend of cannibal six word stories would be this-

'So... full...'

?'Wait. Where is Jerry?'

That works too, although I was going for a werewolf thing.